Crammed into overcrowded trailers and forced to endure gruelling conditions in all weather extremes without food, water, or rest, every year in Canada more than 8 million farmed animals arrive at slaughterhouses dead or so sick or injured that they must be killed. A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation reveals shocking animal abuse and neglect within the livestock transportation industry.

“This short video shows some of the worst abuse of animals that I have ever seen. The video shows a huge amount of pain and distress caused by ignorant workers (and an apparently complicit CFIA Inspector) and exacerbated by poorly designed handling facilities.”Dr. Ian Duncan

“It is extremely worrisome that the people who work at this facility, including the CFIA staff, show such disrespect and lack of compassion for the animals in their care. These people and the owner must be held accountable.”Dr. Mary Richardson

“Detusking of boars is unnecessary. In the Netherlands, boars are moved in individual pens. Boars are never moved in groups!”Dr. Kees Scheepens

“A variety of stressors involved in transport are key factors that strongly contribute to poor welfare in transported animals and they also increase the susceptibility to infection. ... Transport should therefore be avoided wherever possible and journeys should be as short as possible.”Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare, European Food Safety Authority

“Numerous and serious animal welfare concerns were uncovered in this investigation which need to be addressed; not only at this plant but by the entire industry. Most egregious of these was the callous disregard for the suffering of these sentient beings, especially the downer animals and mature boars.”Dr. Debi Zimmermann

CANADA VS. EUROPE

CANADA

Canada’s outdated livestock transport regulations are the worst in the Western world, allowing millions of animals to suffer miserably in overcrowded transport trucks without food, water, or rest for up to 52 hours at a time.

EUROPE

In Europe, animals to be transported longer than eight hours must be loaded onto trucks equipped with automatic water troughs, automatic fans, and temperature monitors.Photo: Lesley Moffat, Eyes on Animals

CANADA

In Canada, animals are often kicked, beaten, and shocked with electric prods in order to force them onto overcrowded transport trucks, causing extreme stress and potential injuries.

EUROPE

In Europe, strict mandated minimum space requirements are clearly outlined and enforced. Pigs, for example, must all be able to stand up and lie down in their natural positions.Photo: Lesley Moffat, Eyes on Animals

CANADA

For at least eight years the federal agriculture ministry has been promising to update Canada’s shameful transport regulations, but has continued to delay and drag its feet while millions of animals suffer miserably every year.

EUROPE

Europe updated its transport regulations in 2004 — 10 years ago! The regulations outline clear, specific rules on everything from the weather in which animals cannot be transported to depth of bedding required.Photo: Lesley Moffat, Eyes on Animals; Animal Welfare Foundation